{"id":1549105,"date":"2023-02-07T07:47:24","date_gmt":"2023-02-07T12:47:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/?p=1549105"},"modified":"2023-02-07T07:47:26","modified_gmt":"2023-02-07T12:47:26","slug":"charles-barkley-recalls-one-of-the-worst-days-in-his-life-when-dad-died","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/news\/charles-barkley-recalls-one-of-the-worst-days-in-his-life-when-dad-died\/","title":{"rendered":"Charles Barkley Recalls One of the Worst Days in His Life When ‘Dad' Died"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Charles Barkley<\/a> remembers having to fly to Los Angeles to shoot a commercial in 2015. The former Philadelphia 76ers<\/a> and Phoenix Suns star was in the air for five hours and oblivious to anything that was going on in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Barkley landed in LA, he knew something had happened. His phone blew up, and people were asking if he was OK. Barkley recently recalled “one of the worst days” of his life when “Dad” died.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Charles Barkley had a strong relationship with Moses Malone<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
Charles Barkley of the Philadelphia 76ers battles with Moses Malone of the Atlanta Hawks as they wait for the rebound on February 27, 1991, at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. | Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios\/Getty Images.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Barkley came into the NBA as the fifth overall pick by the 76ers in the 1984 NBA Draft,<\/a> he fell into a perfect situation. Philadelphia had been to the NBA Finals in 1982 and 1983 and held the fifth overall pick in 1984, thanks to a 1978 deal with the then-San Diego Clippers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The draft was loaded with talent, with Hakeem Olajuwon and Michael Jordan going first and third. At No. 5, the Sixers selected Barkley, teaming him up with the likes of Moses Malone, Julius Erving, Andrew Toney, and Maurice Cheeks on a star-studded roster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barkley took an immediate liking to Malone, an All-Star center he often referred to as “Dad.” Malone took the rookie under his wing, getting Barkley into playing shape and showing him what it took to be a star in the NBA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During a recent appearance on the All the Smoke<\/em> podcast with former NBA players Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, Barkley said Malone helped him shed 50 pounds<\/a> early in his career and was the ultimate teammate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“For him to take me under his wing \u2014 first of all, he was already one of the best to ever do it,” Barkley said of Malone. “For him to take a little fat kid under his wing, it changed my whole life. It changed my whole life. That's why I call him Dad.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barkley admitted it was one of his worst days when he heard ‘Dad' died<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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